Armistice Special
Objective - to learn about Remembrance and its importance. To listen and respond to a piece of music with accompanying video, sharing my thoughts and feelings with others in the class. (exa 1-19a, 2-19a).
Assessment - through class/group discussion about the video and song.
Duration - 13 minute video plus discussion/reflection time.
Additional material required - none
Burke & Hare
Objective - to learn about Burke & Hare and their crimes. To learn a song based on their story and be able to sing it showing appropriate style and performance techniques, experimenting with various dynamics (exa 1-16a, 2-16a, 1-17a, 2-17a).
Assessment - secure performance of the song and discussion/questions from teacher re information given in the video.
Duration - 15 minute video plus additional performances of the song and class discussion following the video.
Additional material required - none
Carnival of the Animals (part one)
Objective - to learn about the first four movements from Saint-Saens' musical suite. To learn about some musical concepts, such as staccato/legato, and to be able to discuss/write down thoughts and feelings on the music listened to (exa 1-19a, 2-19a).
Assessment - through discussion and a written task.
Duration - 12-13 minute video plus time to write a 'review' of their favourite movement from the four listened to. Children should choose one movement to write about and say why they enjoyed it.
Additional material required - pencil and paper/jotter
Carnival of the Animals (part two)
Objective - to learn about movements five to seven from Saint-Saens' musical suite. To learn about more musical concepts, following on from part one, and to be able to reflect on the music listened to (1-19a, 2-19a).
Assessment - through class discussion re textures in music (Kangaroos) and a drawing to reflection The Aquarium Movement (exa 1-18a, 2-18a).
Duration - 12 minute video plus time for the additional tasks.
Additional material required - coloured pencils/crayons and paper/jotter
Carnival of the Animals (part three)
Objective - to learn about movements eight to eleven from Saint-Saens' musical suite. To learn about orchestral instruments and their various pitches, what makes certain instruments high or low. To be able to discuss and reflect upon the music listened to (1-19a, 2-19a).
Assessment - through class discussion and answering some of the questions from the video.
Duration - 18 minute video plus time for class/group discussions.
Additional material required - none
Carnival of the Animals (part four)
Objective - to learn about the final four movements from Saint-Saens' musical suite. To identify how the music depicts its subject matter (1-19a, 2-19a).
Assessment - through class discussion, answering questions from the video. The children should be able to identify features and instruments from all previous 13 movements when listening to The Finale.
Duration - 14-15 minute video with a final creative task, which can be as in depth as the teacher chooses (exa 1-18a, 2-18a).
Additional material required - writing materials for final task
Ceilidh Music (good for St Andrews Day)
Objective - to learn about the fiddle and its role in Scottish Ceilidh music (exa 1-19a, 2-19a) To sing 'Auld Lang Syne' (exa 1-16a, 2-16a).
Assessment - through class discussion following the video. Through the children singing the song at the end of the video.
Duration - 13-14 minute video some class discussion time.
Additional material required - none
Coal Mining
Objective - to learn about Scotland's coal mining heritage, and learn a traditional folk song with coal mining connections.
Assessment - through class discussion, following the video. Being able to sing 'Fordell Ball' using some Scots language.
Duration - 20 minute video with a final creative task, which can be as in depth as the teacher chooses (exa 1-16a, 2-16a).
Additional material required - none
Discovering Instruments - Drumkit
Objective - to learn about the various components and uses of a drum kit and listen to some rhythms (1-19a, 2-19a).
Assessment - through class discussion, following the video regarding the different types of drums and musical styles covered.
Duration - 12 minute video with group/class discussion afterwards.
Additional material required - none
Discovering Instruments - Piano
Objective - to learn about the piano and how it works (1-19a, 2-19a)
Assessment - through class discussion, following the video regarding how sound is created on a piano
Duration - 10 minute video with group/class discussion afterwards
Additional material required - none
Dod the Dinosaur
Objective - to learn some facts about dinosaurs. To learn a song about dinosaurs be able to sing it whilst experimenting with various dynamics (exa 1-16a, 2-16a, 1-17a, 2-17a). An extension could be adding in some untuned percussion instruments on the beat
Assessment - secure performance of the song , showing loud and quiet singing, and discussion/questions from teacher re information given in the video
Duration - 17-18 minute video, plus additional time for adding in untuned percussion if chosen
Additional material required - none/untuned instruments
Forth Bridge
Objective - to learn about the history and construction of the bridge and learn a song telling its story. To sing the song with actions (exa 1-16a, 2-16a, 1-17a, 2-17a).
Assessment - secure performance of the song with actions in time to the music, being able to answer questions relating to the information from the video.
Duration - 15 minute video, plus additional time for any class discussion/extra singing time.
Additional material required - none
Giraffes Can't Dance
Objective - to learn some facts about giraffes, lions and monkeys. To learn a song based on these animals experimenting with various dynamics (exa 1-16a, 2-16a, 1-17a, 2-17a). An extension could be reading the book 'Giraffes Can't Dance' by Giles Andreae either before or after watching the video.
Assessment - secure performance of the song , showing contrasts in loud and quiet singing, and discussion/questions from teacher re information given in the video/reading the story.
Duration - 16 minute video, plus additional time for the story.
Additional material required - book 'Giraffes Can't Dance' if you choose to do the extension
Harvest Special - On the Farm
Objective - to learn about farms and farming, and to learn a song at the end of the video. To be able to sing the song showing a variety of dynamics (exa 1-16a, 2-16a, 1-17a, 2-17a).
Assessment - a sensitive performance of the song, showing contrasts in dynamics. Class discussion/questions from teacher re information given in the video.
Duration - 22-23 minute video.
Additional material required - none
Improvisation Part One (Rhythm & Groove)
Objective - to learn the basics of improvising through rhythm and experiment with various rhythmic patterns and sounds (exa 1-18a, 2-18a, 1-19a, 2-19a).
Assessment - to be able to clap along with a simple beat, and then make up their own rhythms. Children should also be able to give and receive constructive criticism of their efforts. Improvisations can be through body percussion or untuned percussion instruments.
Duration - 13-14 minute video, with tasks throughout the video and additional repetitions of the backing track at the end to allow for everyone to practise their rhythmic improvisations.
Additional material required - none/untuned instruments
Improvisation Part Two (Melodic Improvisation)
Objective - to learn the basics of improvising through melody and experiment with various rhythmic patterns and notes (exa 1-18a, 2-18a, 1-19a, 2-19a).
Assessment - to be able to improvise using a five note scale on tuned percussion. Children should also be able to give and receive constructive criticism of their efforts. Backing track provided at the end of the video.
Duration - 19-20 minute video, with tasks throughout the video and additional repetitions of the backing track at the end to allow for everyone to practise their melodic improvisations. Full duration of this lesson will be approximately 45 minutes, but the backing track can be used for additional follow up tasks.
Additional material required - tuned percussion instruments including notes DEGABb
Perseverance & Resilience
Objective - to learn about real life examples of famous people who have shown resilience, and think about a time we've shown resilience and perseverance. We will then learn a song (with scope for two-part singing) focussing on performance techniques and dynamics (exa 1-16a, 2-16a, 1-17a, 2-17a).
Assessment - to explore and discuss other examples of never giving up. To give a varied and sensitive performance of 'The Spider' song (taught at the end of the video) showing skill and two-part singing (optional for older classes).
Duration - 22 minute video, but song may require more practise than just one run through, and additional time will be required for class/group discussion on the topic.
Additional material required - none
Scottish Sporting Greats
Objective - to learn about Scotland's sporting heritage through a documentary featuring three of our greatest athletes. A song will be taught throughout the documentary, and should be sung showing sensitivity and dynamic contrasts (exa 1-16a, 2-16a, 1-17a, 2-17a).
Assessment - To give a powerful and meaningful performance of 'We Stand Tall' (taught throughout video) showing performance skills.
Duration - 26-27 minute video, with room for additional practise time and class/group discussion on the topic.
Additional material required - none
Wallace & Bruce
Objective - to learn about Scotland's historical Warrior Kings through a documentary with a song taught throughout the video. Song should be sung with power and feeling (exa 1-16a, 2-16a, 1-17a, 2-17a).
Assessment - To give a powerful and meaningful performance of 'Warrior Kings' (taught throughout video) showing performance skills.
Duration - 20 minute video, with room for additional practise time and class/group discussion on the topic.
Additional material required - none
Welcome Back - Goal Setting
Objective - to think about the year ahead in terms of goal planning, to learn an uplifting song with option for two-part singing and a focus on giving a good performance (exa 1-16a, 2-16a, 1-17a, 2-17a).
Assessment - To give a powerful and meaningful performance of 'Amazing' (taught at the end of the video) with two-part singing. To create a dream board or other way of capturing ambitions/goals for the year (task given in the video).
Duration - 24-25 minute video, with room for additional singing time. Additional time will also be needed for the goal setting task
Additional material required - materials for creating dream board/mind maps etc for the follow-up task.
Halloween Special
Objective - to create a sound track to a silent movie, experimenting with sounds and what can be used to reflect the action of the movie. I will listen to others and give constructive feedback (exa 1-17a, 2-17a, 1-18a, 2-18a, 1-19a, 2-19a).
Assessment - To perform alongside the silent movie and to give constructive criticism on the work of their peers
Duration - 16 minute video, the additional task can be done in a longer block, or over a period of a few weeks.
Additional material required - percussion instruments, everyday objects to help create sounds
Winter Song
Objective - to discuss various winter/Christmas songs. To review a Christmas song video (two stars and a wish), and then create their own Christmas/Winter song using a pre-existing backing track (exa 1-17a, 2-17a, 1-18a, 2-18a, 1-19a, 2-19a).
Assessment - To be able to share my thoughts/ideas with the class/group, to give constructive feedback on the work of others and to work with others to create our own music
Duration - 24 minute video (with additional discussion time based on tasks in the video), then time to create their own song. This could be spread over more than one session
Additional material required - none
Christmas Nativity Videos 1-4
Objective - to learn about the Christmas story, with a new song to learn each week (exa 1-16a, 2-16a, 1-17a, 2-17a).
Assessment - To be able to sing each song confidently with expression
Duration - videos are 13-20 minutes long each,with room for additional practise time and class/group discussion on the topic.
Additional material required - none